On the tough, broken streets of the inner city shines a beacon of hope. Stuart P. Robinson talks to the Rev John McIntyre, Rector of St Saviour’s Redfern.
John McIntyre was just six years old went he ‘went forward’ at the 1959 Sydney ‘Graham Crusade’. John describes this decision as an important milestone in his life - and he still remembers the excitement of getting his own mail when the follow-up studies arrived! After a stint at Melbourne University, John cut short his career as a fork-lift driver (“I Iearnt a great deal about life in that factory”) and volunteer youth worker to enter Ridley College. After ordination, he served as a vicar in Melbourne for six years before returning to Ridley to lecture in Evangelism, Ethics, Old Testament and Pastoral Studies. His “weekend job” was rector of Port Melbourne parish.
SPR: John, why the transition from Melbourne to Sydney?
JM: My passion is for inner-city ministry. Redfern seemed a perfect place to live out the gospel in the midst of those most separated from the church, if not from God’s heart. In addition, the parish had been without a rector for two years. The nominators told me that they had spoken to over 30 possible candidates. That sealed it for me. I believe the God of Jesus is the God of the rejected and despised.
SPR: Can you give us a snapshot of your community?
JM: The centre of Redfern and Waterloo is inhabited by those who live in the poorest urban context in NSW. Around that centre is some of the most expensive real estate in the country. Side by side we have the most disadvantaged and the most privileged. Now, at the same time, Redfern is an iconic hub for Aboriginal Australia and the parish includes a wide cross-section of multicultural Sydney as well. It is an exciting, vibrant network of village-like communities peppered by a complexity of antagonisms.
SPR: How has the church you pastor sought to engage in mission, John?
JM: Our church, which reflects the community it seeks to serve, is one tiny beacon of hope in Redfern. We see our unity in diversity as testimony to the transforming power of God. Personally, most of my time is spent with people who do not attend church. My desire is to be a witness to Jesus as I engage with the community for the sake of others. That is how our church sees and understands mission.
SPR: What initiatives appear to have been fruitful?
JM: We leave the church building open each day. People often record their prayers in a book that we provide. Their honest, heart-rending appeals to God are deeply moving.
Four community-based organisations that care for frail and disabled people use our hall. Many volunteers are also involved in working with these organisations. This gift to our community has given the church a profile that is honouring to God and is a witness to the concern of God for the residents of Redfern.
Through regular contact with people in neighbourhood centres and pubs, I have personally found people to be open to the gospel. This does not naturally translate into people coming to St. Saviour’s but it is certainly evidence of the movement of God’s Spirit in the world (and I believe is an aspect of the growth of God’s Kingdom). Were we to measure effectiveness by church attendance alone we could very easily become discouraged.
Our youth work concentrates on working intensively with small groups of young people on a wholistic, life-skills program. As it involves the spritual dimension, we are assisting young people in their appreciation of life andthe God of life.
SPR: Heartaches?
JM: They abound. Everyday I come face to face with people who are isolated by poverty and exclusion. I am overwhelmed, often to the point of tears, by the depth of sorrow in which so many live their lives.
SPR: John, how might we serve you?
JM: Knowing you are “with us” is all important. Pray for us and encourage us. We may not meet lots of “health indicators” for local churches and we can’t boast in numbers or wealth…and we really don’t run too many spectacular programs, for that matter. I do think that we are faithful to the call of Jesus to be his people in the world; to seek God’s ways of compassion and justice; to endure despite constant setbacks and discouragement.
